EDUCATION TRAINING NEWS

A new marine apprenticeship scheme has started at Penzance Dry Docks.

The four-year apprenticeship programme has been launched by Linked Solutions SW Limited, which offers marine engineering services and consultancy, and also recently took over the operation of Penzance’s historic dry dock.

The four-year programme will involve vessel maintenance, repair work and four new apprentices will work closely with Linked Solutions’ team of marine engineers out of Penzance’s historic dry dock. All training will be at the employer’s premises, removing the lost time and cost of travel for the apprentices.

Linked Solutions CEO Jamie Murphy said: “We want to give these young people the best chance of future success and we believe the scope of skills development here at the dry dock will deliver Cornwall some very highly skilled apprentices.”

It is envisaged that full-time roles will be available following the successful completion of the four-year apprenticeship, which is being delivered in association with Cornwall Marine Network (CMN).

CMN chief executive, Paul Wickes, added: “Cornwall Marine Network are delighted to support Jamie Murphy and his team at Penzance Dry Dock with their new apprenticeship project.”

University of Exeter’s Penryn campus won a Green Flag Award, in recognition of the outstanding quality of its outdoor space.

Head Gardener, Toby Nenning, said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award for the Penryn campus and this conveys the level of care and dedication the team have to the outdoor spaces.

“As for everyone it has been a challenging 18 months, but with the team working throughout the pandemic the site has become a haven for anyone trying to escape the stresses and strains of the modern world, whether it be a walk with the dog, a jog through the grounds or simply to relax in the hammocks within our orchard. We are now working hard to protect and increase the biodiversity of the site with an increase in wildflowers, tree planting and organic gardening.”

Two start-ups from Falmouth University’s venture studio, Launchpad, have been shortlisted for the 2021 Tech South West Awards.

Following on from its success at the awards last year, where it scooped best start-up, Codices, which develops live interactive online game shows, is shortlisted in two categories for best innovation and international success. Community seed sharing platform Plotty is up for the clean tech award.

Tim Edwards, Codices CEO and co-founder, said: “As a team, we are delighted to be nominated for two awards for our continued growth with Quiz Kit, which today, has around three million viewers and over sixteen thousand streamers each month across the world. For the majority of 2021 we have also been working hard on an unannounced project which we can’t wait to share in the near future.”

Alex Craven, head of investment at Falmouth University, added: “It’s always great to see Launchpad start-ups being recognised in their sector. It’s testament to the dedication and belief they have in their innovations, and we wish Plotty and Codices the best of luck at this year’s awards.”

HEADLAND DIRECTOR VERYAN PALMER (RIGHT)

To encourage and highlight hospitality career development within Cornwall, a local college has worked with employers to redesign and launch a new management level apprenticeship that is the first of its kind in the county.

Truro and Penwith College has relaunched the Level 4 Hospitality Manager Higher Apprenticeship with new content designed in partnership with employers to support post pandemic recovery and the future of the industry.

The Level 4 Apprenticeship has been developed through the college and its ESF part-funded project Hospitality Table Cornwall (part of ESF Business Clusters) to encourage those of all ages to choose hospitality as a career in one of Cornwall’s largest and fast-growing industries. Martin Tucker, principal at Truro and Penwith College said: “We’re so proud to be the pioneers of this newlyrelaunched apprenticeship, which is the first of its kind in the county. Hospitality is one of Cornwall’s key industries and this Higher Apprenticeship provides a valued qualification to back up learners’ industryrelevant skills, as well as promoting career progression, whilst staying in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

To ensure the content is relevant and appliable between businesses, Truro and Penwith College and Hospitality Table Cornwall have worked with a diverse range of top hospitality employers across Cornwall, including the likes of The Headland Hotel, Paul Ainsworth Collection, St Michaels Hotel and Spa, and Inn Cornwall.

Veryan Palmer, director at the Headland Hotel said: “At The Headland we are excited to have excellent candidates to put forward for the new L4 Hospitality Manager Apprenticeship via Truro and Penwith College starting in January 2022. The opportunities that this gives us to help our young managers to gain the skills to progress forwards on their stellar career pathways is excellent.”